[Plugin] TIG-weld

Photonix · 2 Mar 2012, 12:39

Hey SU community,

I have the following problem using the weld.rb plugin:

I have to convert all edges of my model to closed polylines in a single step (the model is very complex) prior the dxf export for autocad.

Because I have nested geometries, the plugin does not work in the right way, I have added a simple test file. The plugin only works if I select the box and the text sequentially.

Is there a way to add some code to the weld.rb plugin to get it working with my geometry? My modell has ~4 million edges that have to get converted to closed curves (autocad polylines) with a single selection step.

Thanks in advance,

Marcel

testweld.skp

mitcorb · 2 Mar 2012, 13:32

Hi, Marcel:
Perhaps I did not understand your question.
I was able to close with weld the segments on the E and the S. Tracing over one of the segments on the E to form a face, I was able to extrude it up. The corners were hidden. I could trace along this corner, or use CTRL+Eraser+Shift to harden the edge. If you want to convert to polylines, you may want to try Fredo6's Bezier tool. With this tool, you should be able to right click on the welded figure, select convert to polyline, or several other possibilities.

EDIT: My apologies First of all, you posted in the Developer's Forum. I would not normally comment here. What you are requesting is an "en masse" welder. And one that dives down into nested groups and components. There may be technical issues here that I am not qualified on.
I can suggest ThomThom's Clean Up and Vertex Tools in the interim.

Photonix · 3 Mar 2012, 10:09

Thanks mitcorb,

you are right: I need "En Masse weld".

I already tried the plugins you proposed, without success.

Could anyone help please, its quite urgent.

@ forum moderator: could you please move the thread to the right forum section, thanks.

TIG · 3 Mar 2012, 11:18

It is relatively simple to iterate a collection of edges and 'weld' them into connected curve 'sets', BUT if any of the edges 'branch' then 'weld' will fail to make a fully curve of all of the edges...
However, help might be at hand - have you looked at 'ReCurve' http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=324196#p324196
This is perhaps more like you want ?

Photonix · 5 Mar 2012, 09:17

I tried the recurve.rb plugin, without sucess.
It does not work with nested objects. Any other suggestion? Is anyone able to edit the weld.rb to run for nested closed lines as well?

TIG · 5 Mar 2012, 14:36

Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for
any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
copyright notice appear in all copies.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

TIG-weld_code

Description:-
Joins selected edges into a 'curve' (~"polyline").

Author:-
TIG - based somewhat on RickW's 'weld.rb'...
[but it has no close/face options, and also made suitable to be called from
other methods].

Usage:-
Make a selection which includes the edges to be joined.
Run the script from the menu:
Tools > TIG-weld
or type in the Ruby Console:
TIG.weld +<enter>
or [recommended] set up a shortcut-key, say J [==Join?]

Selected edges will then be 'welded' into a curve wherever possible.
Disconnected edges or branching edges might give unexpected results.
A curve will be split where any 'branching' edge intersects it.
The process is one step undoable.

To use the tool run within another method include:
require('TIG-weld.rb')
*** >= v2.0 use:
require('TIG-weld/TIG-weld_code.rb')
to load it even if its extension is deactivated;
and later in the code use:
TIG.weld(true)***
use the 'true' to supress 'undo' complications.
It returns an array of the welded edges or 'nil' if none.
The calling method must make a selection of potential edges to
process, even if inside another context; perhaps iterated in turn,
see scripts like "TIG-weldall.rb" for an example of this...

Version:-
1.0 20120305 First public issue.
2.0 20160130 Made into Extension. Signed for v2016 full compatibility.
Note: with v2.0 the alternative to TIG.weld() can be TIG::Weld.new()
3.0 20170307 Signed for v2017 full compatibility.
http://sketchucation.com/resources/pluginstore?pln=TIG-weld

Usage example...

Photonix · 5 Mar 2012, 15:22

Thank You TIG,

it works fine, but needs a lot of time for my geometries.

Is it possible to speed it up or if not, to implement a progressbar?

It still runs 30mins for 200.000 edges, no end in sight. I will abort now.

I will try with 15.000 edges and post the needed time when its done.

TIG · 5 Mar 2012, 16:00

If I could have sped it up I would have.
It has to iterate every edge in the model and all groups/definitions and then decide which go into which connected curve - it's complex stuff, I'd leave it running as long as you can - it'll beep when done.
A progress bar would only slow it further and as soon as it hits a limit it'll white-out anyway and stop updating it, giving the impression it's stalled when it is actually still processing...
The Task Manager will show if it's still doing its stuff...

matt.gordon320 · 14 Jun 2013, 23:00

Thanks TIG, we appreciate all your hard work!

august0414 · 10 Aug 2013, 15:19

Excuse me ,I would like to know,does this plugin merely fits for Windows?

TIG · 10 Aug 2013, 17:58

No. It works on MAC too...

Most Plugins work on PCs AND MACs...

If there are limitations like something is for PC only, OR for Pro only, then this is spelled out in the instructions on the download page...

jeichholz · 12 Oct 2013, 23:12

Hi Tig,
This may be a slightly different problem in that I am trying to use Sketchup 7. Is Tig-weld.rb supposed to work in that version of SU? I always get bugsplats.

Thanks

John E

TIG · 13 Oct 2013, 10:19

It should work on all versions [7-13] and OSs.
Bugpslats can happen with several legit plugins.
These Bugsplats are not usually from the legit plugin itself, but rather from an observer [looking at definitions and entities ?] which is added by a 3rd party 'rogue' plugin, that then breaks [and splats] when the legit plugin does some simple operations on a temporary group it uses in its processes...
A few other rogues might ill-advisedly change base Ruby classes relating to groups etc, and thereby break the legit plugin's code - but the result of these is usually to put errors in the Ruby Console and just abort the operation - so they rarely lead to a full-blown splat...
The rogues are listed in a quarantined set - search SCF.
These include old-podium versions, some newer BIM tools and SketchyPhysics...
To test for adverse affects of plugins on legit ones, use the SketchUcation Plugins Manager to disable some suspects [Tip: use Sets to remember where you started from!], restart SketchUp and see if TIG-weld then works... If it doesn't re-enable the disabled ones, and disable some more and retry... Once you get a shortlist of culprits temporary load them one at a time until TIG-weld breaks again.
Then you know the culprit...
Let us know what 3rd party plugin is causing the issue...
If in the unlikely event that you find TIG-weld still crashes... then please post an example SKP of what it reacts badly to

jeichholz · 14 Oct 2013, 04:07

Thanks Tig,

I'll try disabling plugins. I see that Tig-weld works in SU 2013 for which I've not installed many plugins yet. I'll let people know what I find.

John

Grice · 20 Jan 2016, 15:45

A bit peeved when I looked at the long list of incompatible plugins that no longer work for SU2016. This is a request to TIG to update this fantastic plugin which I use probably on every project. Please update it for SU2016.... PLEASE!

TIG · 20 Jan 2016, 16:26

@grice said:

A bit peeved when I looked at the long list of incompatible plugins that no longer work for SU2016. This is a request to TIG to update this fantastic plugin which I use probably on every project. Please update it for SU2016.... PLEASE!
Where is this mythical list of incompatible plugins ?***

As far as I know weld.rb still works in v2016 [it's by RickW from Smustard.com] - have you tried it ?

My own take on it - TIG-weld.rb - which is available from the SCF PluginStore - also works just fine in v2016.

***I know many plugins are not yet signed [ the effort involved is somewhat disproportionate to its benefits - but complain to Trimble - not the authors - who have a life too ].
Signing allows them to work in all of v2016's Loading-Policies, BUT at the moment the shipped default Policy for v2016 is 'Unrestricted', which will then let ALL Plugins/Extensions load [just like they do in v2015] - even with 'Approve' you can choose to load an unsigned one.
So even when the RBZ has not been signed it will/can load...

So ' weld' [of both 'flavors' is NOT "incompatible"].
But if you find it's "not working", then please expand on the problems you've encountered...

Dave R · 20 Jan 2016, 18:06

@grice said:

A bit peeved when I looked at the long list of incompatible plugins that no longer work for SU2016. This is a request to TIG to update this fantastic plugin which I use probably on every project. Please update it for SU2016.... PLEASE!
I can attest to the fact that TIG's weld plugin does indeed work in SU2016. If it doesn't for you, you've either not installed it correctly or you're using it incorrectly.

juju · 21 Jan 2016, 11:07

when you log into the EW it will list the plugins (my plugins section) you have / use that isn't compatible with 2016, they're under a separate heading. Although I don't quite get it as they seem to install and work fine...

Dave R · 21 Jan 2016, 11:19

@juju said:

when you log into the EW it will list the plugins (my plugins section) you have / use that isn't compatible with 2016, they're under a separate heading. Although I don't quite get it as they seem to install and work fine...

As TIG wrote, it only means they haven't been signed by Trimble which doesn't affect the way they work. He also has a good point about the time and effort on the part of the authors to get them signed by Trimble. The vast majority of plugin/extension authors aren't getting paid to make them and keep them up. They need to make a living, too.

Box · 21 Jan 2016, 11:23

Not to mention that complaints about issues with the Extension Warehouse should be addressed to the Sketchup Forum where Trimble employees can see them.
Sketchucation released its plugin store before the EWarehouse and looks after the plugins there. Trimble is entirely responsible for the extension Warehouse.